- News>
- World
Philippines mutiny leaders cannot testify in public hearings
Manila, Aug 04: Military officers who allegedly led a coup attempt against President Gloria Arroyo will not be allowed to testify in public hearings on the failed revolt due to security concerns, the government said today.
Manila, Aug 04: Military officers who allegedly led a coup attempt against President Gloria Arroyo will not be allowed to testify in public hearings on the failed revolt due to security concerns, the government said today.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the government would also ask Congress to suspend its public inquiry on the mutiny by about 300 soldiers on July 27.
He said the legislators should allow an independent commission of inquiry set up by the government to carry out the probe into the circumstances that led to the rebellion.
"There is no attempt to muzzle them," Bunye said of the five alleged ringleaders of the mutiny who had been detained in the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. Lawyers have accused the government of silencing the men by preventing their testimony before congressional hearings launched last week.
The military said it would not allow the five to leave camp because there remained threats against the government, with a number of civilian and military backers of the putsch still at large.
"Our officials have offered to our Senators and Congressmen to do the investigation ... inside Camp Aguinaldo (military headquarters). So we will not have a big problem with this security threat," Bunye said. The government filed rebellion charges Friday against all 321 soldiers who had surrendered after a 22-hour siege of the Makati financial district in the Philippine capital. Bureau Report
He said the legislators should allow an independent commission of inquiry set up by the government to carry out the probe into the circumstances that led to the rebellion.
"There is no attempt to muzzle them," Bunye said of the five alleged ringleaders of the mutiny who had been detained in the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. Lawyers have accused the government of silencing the men by preventing their testimony before congressional hearings launched last week.
The military said it would not allow the five to leave camp because there remained threats against the government, with a number of civilian and military backers of the putsch still at large.
"Our officials have offered to our Senators and Congressmen to do the investigation ... inside Camp Aguinaldo (military headquarters). So we will not have a big problem with this security threat," Bunye said. The government filed rebellion charges Friday against all 321 soldiers who had surrendered after a 22-hour siege of the Makati financial district in the Philippine capital. Bureau Report